GROVE TOWNSHIP MONTHLY MEETING
November 19, 2025
November 19, 2025, meeting was called to order at 5:00pm
Present: Brandie Sherry, Melvin Kehl, Robert Bushor, Jim Howard via zoom
Visitors: Dale Woods, Elizabeth Stoner via Zoom `
Motion made to accept October minutes as read by Robert Bushor and seconded by Melvin Kehl
- All in favor, aye, passed
APPROVAL OF October TREASURER’S REPORT
- Motion made to accept by Robert Bushor and seconded by Jim Howard
- All in favor, aye, passed
SECRETARY REPORT
There are 23 outstanding trash bills, including several spanning multiple years, which Brandie will be forwarding to the Magisterial District Court for collection.
The County currently holds a surplus of liquid fuel funds and may submit an application for $50,000 to assist with expenses related to salt and antiskid materials. A motion to apply for County aid in the amount of $5,000 from liquid fuel funds was made by Jim Howard and seconded by Melvin Kehl. The motion was unanimously approved.
Matt from Keller Engineering has completed and submitted all required documentation for the LSA grant. It remains necessary to contact our representatives to ensure they are informed about our project and its critical importance.
A letter was received from Russ Braun concerning a building and floodplain violation.
ROADMASTER REPORT
The bridge inspection reports for Jerry Run Rd and Lick Island have been received, and no major issues were found. Only a few minor corrections are required for signage, along with repairs to a couple of potholes at the approaches.
Jim Howard emphasized that we should continue adding the additive to our fuel and confirm that it’s off-road fuel when placing future orders.
Plows and spreaders are installed on the trucks and ready for winter operations. The mower has been winterized and is connected to a battery maintainer.
To keep the crawl space beneath the office warmer, Melvin and Robert put hay around the building.
PARK REPORT
The fence is done, building has been winterized and the bathrooms are locked for the winter.
BUSINESS
Copies of the working budget were distributed to Supervisors, with a required 20-day public review before approval. The December meeting was rescheduled to December 17th to accommodate this timeline. Robert Bushor moved, with Melvin Kehl seconding, to advertise both the working budget and the Pay Raise for Supervisors Ordinance; both motions passed unanimously. The pay raise ordinance will be considered at the December 17th meeting, per PSATS guidelines that require raises to take effect only with new terms and by ordinance.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Dale Wood brought this to the attention of the Supervisors:
He noted from the October 8th Echo that the Borough of Emporium is seeking an LSA grant to initiate their levy project. The total grant request amounts to $1 million, with the overall project cost projected to reach $10 million over the next seven to ten years. It is unclear how many other townships in the County will apply for LSA funding, but Grove Township may receive less than requested.
It is recommended that Grove Township establish a rainy day fund at the January 2026 meeting by allocating $100,000 to this fund. Construction is not expected to commence before April 2027, and by contributing $10,000 per month, an additional $150,000 could be added, resulting in a total of $250,000 in the rainy day fund. Should the Township receive sufficient LSA grant funding, any surplus in the rainy day fund may be used for other purposes as deemed appropriate.
Over the past six years, the Township has expended between $700,000 and $800,000 on various projects, including three bridges on Jeffrey Run, the bridge over Wycoff Run—which alone exceeded $300,000—as well as the purchase of equipment such as a backhoe, Mack dump truck, small dump truck, skid steer, utility trailer, garage doors, and miscellaneous items. Based on this experience, there is confidence the Township can meet this upcoming challenge.
Dale asked about the source of wages for employees working at the Barkley complex. Brandie explained that all payroll is paid from the general fund, not the recreation fund, and clarified that recreation money is actually part of the general fund. She said it wouldn’t matter if recreation funds were moved entirely into the general account and the recreation account was closed—it would be the same for a state audit.
He also inquired about the status of cleaning up the houses on Wykoff Street and the shed on Main Street. Melvin responded that his neighbors had obtained a demolition permit and cleanup is just a matter of time, while the situation with the Wykoff properties is on hold until spring.
Elizabeth had nothing.
A motion was made by Robert Bushor and seconded by Melvin Kehl to pay bills as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Next regular meeting will be held on December 17, 2025, starting at 5:00 at Grove Township building.
The motion was made by Robert Bushor and seconded by Jim Howard to adjourn the November 19, 2025, meeting at 6:51. Motion carried unanimously.